Kuszczak future remains unclear

The Poland international made his first Premier League start for 12 months at West Brom on Saturday and helped steer United towards only their second away win of the season. But Kuszczak knows that will not be enough for him to keep his place as Edwin van der Sar is set to return for Tuesday's Old Trafford encounter with Stoke.

He said: "I need to see what the boss wants to do - whether he wants to play me or sell me. At this present moment, I don't know."

Ferguson has already confirmed he is planning for life without the 40-year-old Dutchman.

However, the arrival of Anders Lindegaard - who would be eligible for next weekend's FA Cup tie with Liverpool - and the potential for a big-name signing next summer, suggests Kuszczak has only a limited shelf-life after five years at Old Trafford.

He added: "Edwin is 40 already. Who knows how long he can play? It may be his last season. But a club like this needs to have young goalkeepers coming in. I want to play but it is not in my hands."

Kuszczak was making only his 56th senior appearance for United this weekend, a paltry return given the promise he was showing at West Brom when Ferguson first swooped in 2006.

The keeper does not view the intervening period as a waste of time; he was in goal for last season's Carling Cup triumph over Aston Villa and on the bench for the Champions League victory against Chelsea in 2008. However, the 28-year-old has seen Ben Foster prosper at Birmingham since he quit the Red Devils last summer. And he is aware time is ticking on for his own career.

"It was my debut - the first of January," he laughed. "Every player has his ambitions. And I have mine. I have sat on the bench for five years but that means nothing to me. I am ready to play.

"I have some experience now and I think I can use it. What I need is a chance to play more than one game in two or three months. You can't prove anything like that."